E-commerce and lonesome shoppers celebrate Singlesâ Day in China
By Elliot Chan, Opinions Editor
While Canadians spent November 11 paying respect to those who fought for our countryâs freedom, China celebrated the joys of bachelorhood with Singlesâ Day. The holiday targets those without boyfriends, girlfriends, or life partners. Even though it might sound like a hoax to those lonely individuals, Singlesâ Day is becoming a very popular event in Chinaâa country burdened by the bachelor generation, the direct cause of the one-child policy introduced in the late â70s.
Instead of pouting, whining, or crying, the Chinese singles have found a silver lining to their pathetic situation. Singlesâ Day is now officially one of the largest shopping days of the year, and if there is a country that is able to buy happiness, it might as well be China. Although in previous years the holiday has slipped North American retailersâ radar, this year they jumped at the opportunity to reach out to a loveless audience. And what an audience it is: in a single day, the worldâs largest populated country spent approximately $5.7-billion.
Dreamt up by some college students in the â90s, Singles Day is an upsetting concept to many Westerners, including myself. Materialism is, above all else, an addiction. Most shoppers will tell you that they often feel a high when they make a purchase, especially if it was something they really wanted. They pay for it, bring it home, and bask in the euphoric sensation until the product gets old, collects dust on a shelf, and is ultimately forgotten.
Sure, online shopping comes with a bit of noveltyâthe product you purchase arrives at your doorstep weeks after you order it, making it a surprise present to you from someone who cares. I think this very concept is poison, and the fact that the Chinese are promoting this cultural behaviour will be a devastating blow to their social morale. But if we know anything about our beloved friends to the east, they donât care much about a healthy population as long as the economy is prospering.
The fact that Singlesâ Day exists is fine with me. There should be a day to celebrate those living an independent life, the same way thereâs a day to celebrate those in romantic relationships, i.e. Valentineâs Day.
But singles, why must it be a day to selfishly reward yourself for accomplishing nothing? Being alone is nothing to be proud ofâanybody can be alone. Buying gifts for yourself might be a short-term solution, but I pity your life if Singlesâ Day is the holiday you look forward to each year.
Celebrate and party with other single friends, and rejoice in the fact that you are not tied down, but donât allow big e-commerce companies to take advantage of your egocentric nature. Have some control, my dear lonely hearts of China, and stay strong; your prince will one day come for you and your new PS4.
